Sept. 9, 2020: The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) anticipates another $42 million in federal block grants to administer substance use and mental health services across the state.
Mandated by Congress, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) block grants provide Colorado approximately $13 million and $29 million for mental health and substance use services respectively each year. The funds support prevention, treatment and recovery services that supplement services covered by Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance.
The block grants will ensure stability in federal funding amid the $20 million in state funding cuts to OBH, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic downturn. Per Colorado House Bill 20-1411, OBH also received more than $13 million in federal CARES Act funding this June to cover COVID-related expenses.
To apply for the non-competitive block grant, OBH submitted a combined behavioral health assessment and plan last September and submitted an interim application to SAMHSA on September 1, 2020 per federal requirements.